At the Pleasure of the President by Shayla Black, Lexi Blake Also in this series: Scandal Never Sleeps, Seduction in Session, Big Easy Temptation, Smoke and Sin
Series: The Perfect Gentlemen #5
Published by Black Oak Books on April 9, 2019
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Pages: 474
Format: eBook
Source: Self Purchased
The thrilling conclusion of the twisting, page-turning Perfect Gentlemen series!
When a dangerous conspiracy threatens to tear them apart, he’ll have to choose between his country and the woman he loves…
Decades ago, ambitious Zack Hayes set his sights on the White House. He’s worked his whole life to become the leader of the free world—attending the right schools, marrying the perfect bride—all to aid his campaign. He didn’t realize someone behind the scenes has been pulling the strings to manipulate Zack and the country he loves into a dangerous position—one he will risk his life to wrench free from. The one thing he can’t risk is Elizabeth Matthews.
From the moment she met Zack Hayes, Liz felt the connection. Serving as his campaign manager and then his press secretary, she accepted that her love for him would remain unrequited. Still, she’d thought they were friends, so when he pushed her aside, she felt the stab in her heart. And when she realizes he’s done it to protect her, nothing will stop Liz from standing by his side—not even the men who would use her as a weapon against him.
As shocking secrets are revealed, Zack and Liz find succor and passion in each other’s arms. When the ultimate villain shows his face, Zack may have to choose between his country and the woman he loves…
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
At The Pleasure of the President is the last book in the “Perfect Gentleman” series and dang I adored this book, it might be one of my favorites of the whole series. Which in hindsight is actually a real relief to be honest because I was so worried because this is a book I have been most looking forward to ever since I read the first book not too long ago. Now I do want to point out this review is going to have spoilers so if you haven’t read the previous book especially or don’t care for spoiler skip to the bottom of the review because due to certain elements I will have to reveal certain aspects that will spoil it if you don’t want any surprises.
At The Pleasure of the President is the final installment and in this book it takes off right after the big reveal in Smoke and Sin. At the ending of Smoke and Sin, Zack Hayes, the President, has a shock of his life, because his number one secret service agent who is his most trusted leads him to his limo and lo and behold a man he thought was dead is very much alive…Maddox. Maddox we saw the funeral for in the first book and throughout the previous books, the group of friends have grieved and mourned him and trying to find who killed him and who is after Zack especially. But then we see that he is alive, faked his death and now has returned to help his friends because they are in trouble. We see two stories lay out Maddox and Sara and their reconnecting and Zack and Liz finally come together and let go of their fears and reservations and face off an enemy who will stop at nothing to destroy them all…
That was Zack, always putting others first, even when his whole world was falling apart. Even when he needed so desperately for himself.
This book was one whirlwind of a read and I had such a blast with this book here, and I just couldn’t get enough of this one. I found myself truly stunned at it, and I have to say it might be my favorite. And boy all the ANGST and drama but seriously I am adoring it. Its the type of drama you get a kick out of and it makes sense the drama, you can relate to it or anyone can that has been in a romantic relationship and has suffered pain or grief. So first off we have two romance plot lines. One with Maddox and one with Zack and their lovely counterparts. So lets cover Maddox first. Maddox and Sara fell in love very quickly, it started out as a fling but turned into something deeper and it happened fast. And right when Maddox was going to propose and Sara found herself pregnant, Maddox’s life was threatened and to protect Sara he broke it off with her and faked his death. And for months he has been tortured knowing the pain he has brought to Sara. But now he is back to fight for his brotherhood, and the woman he loves and his unborn daughter. But it will take lots of groveling and work to gain Sara’s trust. I will say I adored this story line. I love these whole groveling scenarios especially when you can see both sides of the pairing. I see why Maddox did it and I can see why Sara is so hurt and angry at the same time. But these authors really handled their story so delicately and really impressed me seeing them find their way back to each other again.
“I’ll never leave you again.” He turned and cupped her face. “I promise. No matter what happens now, I will put you first, even above my friends. You and Maddie are my whole world now, and there is nothing I want more than to take you to bed.”
Now as for Zack and Liz’s story, theirs is much more complicated as is their history. They have been wanting to be together for years. Right before Zack’s late wife was killed, and a divorce was in the works, Zack knew he had found his soulmate and it was in Liz. She was everything he never thought he needed but hoped for. But then his wife was killed and then he found out about the Russian plot and couldn’t risk anyone knowing of the depth of his feelings for Liz or it would put her at risk. But now Liz is fighting back and his enemies know more about them and Zack is going to fight for his woman but right when their relationship is getting going with power and passion …..evidence comes to light that Liz might be a spy and now Zack is divided on his loyalties. I found this line to be the one I was gravitating towards the most. And man I just knew how this would end and Zack and Roman deserved every bit of backlash. Liz is such a relatable character in many ways. She has such strength but also is soft and kind and feminine too. And Zack …whew….I suspected it but he is one alpha especially in the bedroom. Just gives you the shivers thinking about his vibe that he displays in this story.
He sent her a feral smile and sauntered closer, pure need coursing through his veins as he tore off that strangling mental leash that had held him back for so long and reached for her.
Quite frankly I couldn’t get enough of this finale and didn’t want to put it down but at the same time I NEVER wanted it to end because that meant that it would be the end with these perfect gentlemen and their wonderful spirited ladies. And I love how this was a political book but it wasn’t political. LOL I know that is confusing but it showed the complex portrayal of politics without sending political messages in the book and I LOVED that. I have noticed that romance has been very political leaning of late, and this wasn’t at all. It showed what politicians have to go through day to day especially the solid good ones and the sacrifices they do. I really appreciated seeing these authors handle this so well and with such balance. Which is very difficult to do I am sure especially with two authors and TWO romance plot lines.
Life was as easy or as hard as she chose to make it.
Overall I found AT The Pleasure of the President to be a epic finale that brings together friendship and family bonds, with a complex thrilling plot packed with suspense and political intrigue and secrets abound…a story that will captivate the reader and addict you in ways you can’t imagine….STUNNING IN ITS PORTRAYAL!
About Shayla Black
Shayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than sixty novels. For twenty years, she’s written contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances via traditional, independent, foreign, and audio publishers. Her books have sold millions of copies and been published in a dozen languages.
Raised an only child, Shayla occupied herself with lots of daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and realized that she could have a career publishing the stories spinning in her imagination. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America to pay the bills, her heart has always been with her characters. She’s thrilled that she’s been living her dream as a full-time author for the past eight years.
Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband, her daughter, and two spoiled tabbies. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.
About Lexi Blake
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places. Lexi believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome or foursome may seem.
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